Der Heiligen XII, from the Wittenberg relic-book 1549

Lucas Cranach the Elder created this woodcut print, "Der Heiligen XII," as part of the Wittenberg relic-book. During the Reformation, the depiction of religious figures became a complex site of negotiation between tradition and reformist ideologies. Cranach, a court painter and close friend of Martin Luther, navigated this tension by producing images that served both devotional and didactic purposes. Here, the twelve apostles are rendered with a directness that speaks to the Reformation's emphasis on individual faith and the accessibility of religious knowledge. The print is inscribed with text that highlights the apostles' lives, beliefs, and deaths, framing them as models for the "Leien vnd Einfeltigen," the laity and the simple. This work reflects a broader cultural shift where religious imagery was increasingly used to shape public opinion and reinforce specific theological positions, impacting both personal faith and communal identity.